6-methyl-1-dehydro analogues of cortisone, hydrocortisone and 21-esters thereof



Unite Sttes PatentOfifice 2,897,218 Patented July 28, 1959 G-METHYL-l-DEHYDRO ANALOGUES OF CORTI- SONE, HYDROCORTISONE AND ZI-ESTERS THEREOF Oldrich K. Sehek and George B. Spero, Kalamazoo Township, Kalamazoo County, Mich., assignors to The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Mich, a corporation of Michigan No Drawing. Application November 23, 1956 Serial No. 623,776

12 Claims. (Cl. 260-397.45)

The present invention relates to steroid compounds and is more particularly concerned with l-dehydro-6- methylcortisone, 1-dehydro-6-methylhydrocortisone, the esters thereof and the process for the production therefor.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of applications Serial Number 580,143, filed April 23, 1956, now abandoned, and Serial Number 601,634, filed August 2, 1956, now abondoned.

The compounds and the process of the present invention are illustratively represented by the following sequence of formulae:

CH3 CH3 i O: 1. microbial dehydrogenation 2. esteriflcation CH3 CH3 wherein R is selected from the group consisting of 1118- hydroxy and ll-keto, and R and R" are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and acyl, the acyl group being of an organic carboxylic acid, preferably a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from one to twelve carbon atoms, inclusive.

The process of the present invention comprises: submitting an ll-oxygenated 6-methyl-17u,21-dihydroxy-4- pregnene-3,20-dione (the 60c or 6,6-epimer) or an ester thereof (Formula I) to fermentation by a microorganism producing dehydrogenation in the l-position of a 3- keto-4-pregnene to obtain the compound of Formula II. Especially useful for the dehydrogenation in the l-position of steroid are the microorganisms selected from the genera consisting of Calonectria, Alternaria, Colletotrichum, Cylindrocarpon, Ophiobolus, Septomyxa, Didymella, Corynebacterium, Fusarium, Listeria, Erysipelothrix. Septomyxa, especially the species Septomyxa affinis ATCC 6737 and Corynebacterium, especially the species Corynebacterium simplex are preferred for the production of the corresponding ll-oxygenated G-methyl- 17 :,2 l-dihydroxy-l ,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

Esterification of the thus produced ll-oxygenated 6- methyl 17 oc,2l dihydroxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione is carried out by conventional methods such as admixing the selected ll-oxygenated 6-methyl-17u,2l-dyhydroxy- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione with an acylating agent such as a ketene, an isopropenyl acylate, an acid anhydride or acid halide of an organic carboxylic acid, preferably a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from one to twelve carbon atoms, at temperatures between zero and degrees, with room temperature preferred (cf. Examples 5 thru 8 and 11 thru 16).

The term ll-oxygenated here refers to the ll-hydroxy and ll-keto only.

It is an object of the instant invention to provide the 6-methyl-1-dehydro analogues of cortisone, hydrocortisone, and the 2l-esters thereof and in particular the 6ozepimers thereof, i.e., 1-dehydro-6u-methylhydrocortisone and 1-dehydro-6a-methylcortisone. It is another object of the instant invention to provide a process for the pro duction of 6-methyl-l-dehydrocortisone, -hydrocortisone, and the esters thereof. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide other 1-dehydro-6-alkyl or 1-dehydro-6-pheny1 analogues of cortisone, hydrocortisone, and epi F compounds and esters thereof. Other objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

The new compounds, 1-dehydro-6-methylcortisone and 1-dehydro--methylhydrocortisone, especially in the form of 6a-epimers, are highly active adrenocortical hormones having greater glucocorticoid activity than hydrocortisone, cortisone, or the l-dehydro analogues of hydrocortisone and cortisone as shown by the following table:

TABLE I Relative glucocorticoid activity of new steroids (compared to hydrocortisone 1) The new compounds 1-dehydro-6a-methylcortisone and 1-dehydro-6a-mthylhydrocortisone have the additional advantage of having low salt retention and high antiphlogistic activity which makes them valuable for systemic as well as topical use. The anti-phlogistic (anti-inflammatory) activity of l-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone as measured by the granuloma pouch test is six to seven times the anti-phlogistic activity of hydrocortisone. The l-dehydro-Ga-rnethyl epi F compound, 60c methyl 11oc,17zx,21 trihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene- 3,20-dione, in addition to anti-inflammatory activity, is useful as an intermediate in the production of 6a-methyl- A -cortisone esters, for example, by the oxidation of 6- methyl epi F 21-acylates with chromic acid as shown in ExamplelO.

In general, compositions containing the compounds of the present invention can be prepared for animal or human use by incorporating them in any one of several dosage forms suitable for such use. Such dosage forms include the active ingredients plus a non-toxic carrier which can be either a solid material or a liquid. Bland carriers are of course much preferred for oral use. Examples of oral dosage forms are tablets, capsules, liquid suspensions or solutions. For the dosage forms which are particularly suitable for parenteral administration, a sterile diluent is, of course, necessary. When the active ingredients are to be used topically it can be prepared as an ointment, a bougie, a lotion or a jelly. When the intended use is the eye or ear, the compounds can be prepared in the form of drops or as an ointment. The com- 3 pounds can also be prepared in an aerosol vehicle when the intended use is nasal. Examples of preferred dosage forms are as follows: 7,

Tablet for oral use particularly for arthritis:

1dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone mil1igrams 5 Lactose -grains 3.3 Sucrose do.. 0.04 Starch do 0.075 Calcium stearate do 0.02

Acetylsalicylic acid granular USP stand.

No. :40 mesh. 33 lbs. 1 oz.

Mixture. Part II l-dehydro-Ga-methylhydrocortisone 193grs.

Color 1 lb. 6 oz. 375 grs. Bolted starch 11 oz. 188 grs. Bolted talc 1 lb. 6 oz. 375 grs.

:For topical use, ointments are prepared illustrativelyas follows:

For the preparation of 500 pounds of an ointment, suitable for topical use, containing advantageously neomycin and 1-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone as the essential active ingredients, the following types and amounts of ingredients are used:

4% multiwaxNo. W-445 1 20"lbs 20% light mineral oil USP viscosity 18 100 lbs.

0.5% cholesterol USP 2 lbs. 8 oz.

0.02% methylparaben USP 1 oz. 263 grs.

0.18% n-butyl-p-hydroxybenzoate 14 oz. 175,grs.

0.5 l-dehydro-G a-methylhydrocortisone (micronized) 2 lbs. .8 oz.

0.6% neomycin sulfate (microatomized) 3 lbs.

White petrolatum USP q.s.-ad 500 lbs.

A microcrystalline wax of high melting point from L. Sonneborn and Sons, 11.10., New York, .Y.

Other antibiotics which may be used advantageously in place of or with neomycin include polymyxin B sulfate, bacitracin, gramicidin, tyrothricin. Actual potentiation of polymyxin and 'neomycin is obtained by the addition of 1-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone.

Instead of 1-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone 21-esters thereof, like the 21-acetate, propionate, butyrate, benzoate, phenylacetate, phenylpropionate, dineopentylacetate, tertiary butylacetate, 'trimethylacetate. and other esters as shown in the examples may be used for parenteral administration. Furthermore the 1-dehydroq-methylcortisone may be substituted by l-dChYClI'O-6ocmethylcortisone or 21-esters thereof such asmentioned before or by the 6/8-methy1 epimers, l-dehydro-6fl-methylhydrocortisone and 1-dehydro-Gfi-methylcortisone or 21- acylates thereof. For parenteral use the water-soluble estersof polybasic acids and their salts are particularly suitable such as the sodium, phenylephrine, N-methylglucamm salt of 1-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone 21- hemisuccinate, dimethyl glutarate, glycolate, tartrate, or the like, in buffered solution. Also other l-dehydro-fiaalkylhydrocortisones, 1-dehydro-6a alkylcortisones and esters thereof as well as 1-dehydro-6a-arylhydrocortisones and 1-dehydro-6a-arylcortisone and esters of .the 6B- epimers wherein the alkyl group is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, or the like, .and .the aryl group is phenyl, benzyl or the like are useful in pharmaceutical compositions as'above described. I I

In addition to using the 6B-methy1 epimers, l-dehydro- 6p-rnethylhydrocortisone and 1-dehydro-6,B-methylcorti sone in equivalent quantities instead of the 6oc-epimers, the 6B-epimers are easily converted to the more glucocorticoid-potent 6u-epimers as shown in Example 10.

The preparation of the above compositions is carried out in conventional manner known in the art.

The starting material for the instant invention are 11 oxygenated 6-methyl-17a,21-dihydroxy-4-pregnene- 3,20-dione and the 21-esters thereof including both the 60cand 6B-methyl epimers prepared as shown in detail in Preparations 1 through 10. In addition other 1l-oxygenated 6-alkyl and '6-aryl, especially 6-phenyl17oc,21.dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-diones and esters, can be rsed to prepare the corresponding ll-oxygenated 6-alkylor 6- aryl-1704,21-dihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-diones which also possess glucocorticoid and anti-inflammatory activity and can be substituted in anti-arthritic or anti-inflammator-y therapy for 6u-methyl-l1,8,17u,21-trihydroxy-1,4- pregnadiene-3,20-dione or, respectively, 6a-methly-17a,2ldihydroxy-1,4rpregnadiene-3,1 1,20-trione.

The process of the instant invention consisting in fermentative dehydrogenation of the starting material is performed underconditions such as. are described in detail in US. Patent 2,602,769, using a suitable nutrient containing assirnilable carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus in suitable compound form as well as other compounds (vitamins, e.g., thiamine, thiamine-thiazole, plant hormones, e.g., auxins) and minerals (e.g., zinc, iron, cobalt, copper, potassium, manganese etc. inmetabolically available form) necessary for the life-mainte nance and growth of microorganisms. Air is allowed to enter thetermentation mixture by controlled aeration, by inclusion of air in shaken flasks or other suitable arrangement and the 6ot-methylcortisone, 6a-methylhydrocortisone, or 6a-methyl epi F compound or estersthereof or the 6fl epimers thereof are added preferably, but not necessarily, in solution or suspension and after allowing time for the growth of the microorganism. It has been found that certain other steroids increase the yield of the present fermentation considerably and for optimum recovery steroidal promoters, selected from the group consisting of 3-ketobisnor-4-cholen-22-al, 3-ketobisnor-4- cholenic acid, crude 11fl,21-dihydroxy-1,4,17(20)-pregnatrien-3-one and progesterone are added. Other compounds of steroidal and non-steroidal nature may also aid to increase'the yield in the'fermentation. Other details of the fermentation, recovery of the steroids and esterification are found in the examples.

The following examples are illustrative of the process and products of the present invention, 'but are not to be construed. as limiting.

PREPARATION l 5 0;,6 oc-OXZ'dO-l 1 {3,17 21 -trihydr0xyall0pregnane-3,20- dione 3,20-bzs- (ethylene ketal) To a solution of'0.901 gram of 11B,17o;,21-trihydroxy- 5-pregnene-3,20.-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal) in eighteen milliliters of chloroform was added asolution of 331 milligrams ofperbenzoic acid in 5:19 milliliters of chloroform. Theresulting solution was allowed to stand in the refrigerator (ca. four degrees centigrade) for a period of 24 hours-and thereupon at room temperature for an additional period of '72 hours. The reaction solution was then washed with five percent sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness to give 1.031 grams vof crude solid. Recrystallization from acetone gave 431 milligramsofmaterial of melting point 230 to 247 degrees Centigrade. The mother liquor, after evaporation to dryness, was dissolved in methylene chloride.

and chromatographed over 25 grams of acid washed alumina. The column was developed with three fractions each or methylene chloride plus 5, 10, 1s, 20, 2s

5 and 50 percent acetone, acetone, and acetone plus five percent methanol. The acetone plus five percent methanol eluate gave an additional 279 milligrams of the high melt- 111 roduct. The high melting material, Sana-oxidei 1 1B, 17,2l trihydroxyallopregnanelQO-dione 3,20-lus- (ethylene ketal), was three times recrystallized from acetone and methanol to give a pure product of melting point 263 to 26-8 degrees centigrade. Other eluate fractions of lower melting point contained the 5fl,6;8-isomer thereof.

PREPARATION 2 5a,6oc-0xid0-11 :,1 7zx,21 -trihydroxyall0pregnane-3,20- dione 3,20-bfs-( ethylene ketal) PREPARATION 3 oz,6a-0xid0-1 70,21 -dihydr0xypregnane-3 ,1 1,20-tri0ne 3,20-bis-(1,2-propylene ketal) To a solution of one gram of 17a,2l-dihydroxy-5- pregnene-3,1l-20-trione 3,20-bis-(1,2propylene ketal) 9 [cortisone 3,20-bis-(1,2-propylene ketal)] in chloroform was added a solution of perbenzoic acid in chloroform and the resulting solution allowed to stand in a refrigerator and then at room temperature, following the procedure of Preparation 1. The reaction solution was washed, dried, and evaporated as in Preparation 1. Recrystallization from acetone followed by fractionation of the mother liquor on a column of acid washed alumina, using the technique of Preparation 1 yielded 50,6ot-0Xid0- 170:,2l-dihydroxyallopregnane 3,11,20 trione 3,20-bis- (1,2propylene ketal) and the 5,8,65-oxido isomer.

Using as starting material the more commonly available cortisone 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal) gives the 500,604- oxido-17a,2l-dihydroxyallopregnane-Ii,11,20-trione 3,20- bis-(ethylene ketal).

In the same manner as shown in Preparations 1 through '3, 5:1,6a -oxido-l1a,17a,2l-trihydroxyallopregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-bis(alkylene ketals), 5a,6oa-oxido- 1l/8,-l7u,21 trihydroxyallopregnane-3,ZO-dione 3,20-bis- (alkylene ketals) and 50:,6oc-OXidO-l7oc,2l-dihYCll'OXYallO- pregnane-3,ll,20-trione 3,20-bis-(alkylene ketals) can be prepared by reacting the corresponding cortisone, hydrocortisone, and epi F diketals wherein the ketal group has been formed by reacting the steroid 3,20-dione with ethylene, propylene, 1,2-, 1,3, or 2,3-butylene glycol or pentane, hexane, heptane, or octane-diols wherein the, alcohol groups are in vicinal positions such as 1,2, 2,3, 3,4, or the like, or separated by one carbon atom such as 1,3, 2,4, 3,5, and the like, with an organic peracid such as perforrnic, peracetic, perbenzoic, monoperphthalic acid, or the like. For the purpose of this invention, starting compounds having the ethylene ketal groups are preferred, since these ketals are generally more easily prepared in high yield than ketals produced by the reaction of the 3,20-diketo compounds with high 'alkanec diols.

PREPARATION 4 5a,] 16,] 7u,21 -tetrahydr0xy-6,8-me thy lall0pregnane-3,20- dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal) A solution of 1.115 grams of 5u,6oc-OXldO-11fi,17ot,21- trihydroxyallopregnane 3,20 dione 3,20-bis-( ethylene ketal) in 165 milliliters of tetrahydrofuran (the tetrahydrofuran being dried through distillation over lithium aluminum hydride) was added dropwise to a solution of liters of benzene and the reaction mixture was thereupon I allowed to stir and reflux for 26 hours. After cooling, the reaction mixture was poured into 700 milliliters of iced, saturated ammonium chloride solution, stirred for a period of thirty minutes, and the benzene layer separated from the aqueous layer. The aqueous phase was extracted with three 200-milliliter portions of ethyl acetate and the extracts added to the benzene layer. The combined benzene-ethyl acetate solution was thereupon washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness to give 1.314 grams of crude solid. Tritu-nation of this material with ether left 1.064 grams of crystalline product of melting point 221 to 230 degrees. Recrystallization of this material gave 5a,11fl,17a,21 tetrahydroxy 618 methylallopregnane- 3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal) of melting point 228 to 233 degrees and rotation [od minus eleven degrees in chloroform.

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H O C, 64.70; H, 8.77. Found: C, 64.29; H, 8.69.

PREPARATION 5 5a,11fl,17oc,21 tetrahydroxy 6B ethylallopregnane- 3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal) In the same manner as shown in Preparation 4, 5a,6otoxido-l1,8,17a,21-trihydroxyallopregnane3,20-dione 3,20- bis-(ethylene ketal), was reacted with ethyl magnesium bromide in ether solution to give the corresponding 5lZ,11]3,170t,21 tetrahydroxy 6,8 ethylallopregnaue- 3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethy1ene ketal).

In the same manner as shown in Preparations 4 and 5, other 5a,1l,8,17oc,2l tetrahydroxy-6B-alkylal1opregnane- 3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketals), 5u,11a,17a,21-tetrahydroxy-GB-alkylallopregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethy1- ene ketals) and 5oz,17a,21-trihydroxy-6fi-alkylallopregnane-3,11,20-trione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketals) are prepared by reacting the corresponding 5oz,6rx-0XidO-17a,21- dihydroxyallopregnane 3,20 dione 3,20 bis (ethylene ketal) oxygenated in the 11-position with a metal alkyl or metal aryl more specifically an alkyl metal halide such as a Grignard reagent, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, and phenyl magnesium bromides and iodides or cadmium alkyl and calcium alkyl and phenyl bromides or iodides. Representative GB-alkylated allopregnanes thus prepared include: :,1119, 17a,21-tetrahydroxy 6B propylallopregnane-3,20 dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), 5a,11B,17a,2l-tetrahydroxy-6 6- butylallopregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), 50:,11B,17a,21 tetrahydroxy 613 isobutylallopregnane- 3,20-dione 3,20-'bis-(ethylene ketal), 5a,11B,17oc,21-tetrahydroxy-6,8-pentylallopregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), Seal15,l7a,21-tetrahydroxy-6fi-hexylallopregnane-3,20-dicne 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), 5u,l1;3,17oz,21- tetrahydroxy-6B-phenylallopregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-bis- (ethylene ketal); 511,1lea,17a,2l-tetrahydroxy-Gfi-rnethylallopregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethy1ene ketal); $00,110:, 17a,2l tetrahydroxy 6,8 ethylallopregnane-3,20-dione 3,20 bis-(ethylene ketal); 50,11a,17u,21-tetrahydroxy-6B- propylallopregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), 5 a,l 104,17 ce,2l tetrahydroxy 6/3 isopropylallopregnane- 3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), 5a,11oc,17u,21t6t1ahydroxy-6B butylallopregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), 5a,1la,17ot,2l-tetrahydroxy-6fi-pentylallopregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), 5a,11a, 17oc,21 tetrahydroxy 6B hexylallopregnane-3,ZO-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), 5a,11a,l7a-21-tetrahydroxy-6B- phenylallopregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), the 2lot-monoacylates and 1lu,21-diacylates thereof wherein the acyl group is of an organic carboxylic acid and preferably of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid containing from one to twelve carbon atoms, inclusive, or a benzene-sulfonic acid; 5a,170:,21-trihydroxy-65-methylal1opregnane-3,11,20rtrione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), 5a,1'7a-21 trihydroxy 65 -.ethylallopregnane 3,11,20- trione 3,20-bis-(etl1ylene ketal), 5a,17a,21-trihydroxy-65- propylallopregnane 3,11,20 trione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), 50,l7a,2l trihydroxy-65-isopropylallopregnane- 3,11,20-trione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), 5a,17oc,Z1-tIihY- droxy-65abutylallopregnane-3 ,1 1,20-trione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), 5a,17u,21-trihydroxy-65-pentylallopregnane- 3,11,20.-trione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), 50c,17o,21-Uihydroxy-65fhexylallopregnane-3 1 1,20-trione 3 ,20-bis-( ethylene ketal), 5a,17a,21-trihydroxy-65-phenylallopregnane- 3,11,20-trione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), and the like.

PREPARATION 6 5 a,] 15,] 7 0:,21 -tetrahydroxy-65-methy lallopregnane- 3,20-dione A solution was prepared containing 468 milligrams of a,11}3,17a,21 tetrahydroxy-65-methylallopregnane-3,20- dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal), 38 milliliters of methanol and 7.7 milliliters of 2 N sulfuric acid. This solution was refluxed for a period of thirty minutes, then neutral- =ized with five percent dilute sodium bicarbonate solution (about 100 milliliters) and-concentrated under reduced pressure at 55 degrees centigrade to about 35 milliliters of volume. A product crystallized upon cooling and was recovered by filtration. This product was recrystallized from acetone Skellysolve B hexanes to give an analytical pure sample of 5u,115,17u,21-tetrahydroxy-65-methylallopregnane-3,20-dione of melting point 240 to 244 (decomposition) and rotation [al plus forty degrees in dioxane.

Analysis.Calcd. for .C H O C, 66.98; H, 8.69. Found: C, 66.84; H, 8.86.

PREPARATION 7 51x31] 5;] 70;,21 -tetrahydroxy65-ethylallopregnane- 3,20-dione In the same manner as shown in Example 6, 5a,115, 17 0:,21 tetrahydroxy 65 ethylallopregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketal) was hydrolyzed with dilute sulfuric acid in ethanol solution to give 5a,115,l-7a,21tetrahydroxy-65-ethylallopregnane-3,20-dione.

In the same manner as shown in Preparations 6 and 7, inclusive, hydrolysis of the 65-alkylallopregnane diketals, such as the 50:,115,17a,21-tetrahydroxy-65- methylallopregnane-3,20-dione 3,20-bis: (ethylene ketal), 51.2,11Ot,170t,21 tetrahydroxy 65 methylallopregnane- 3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ethylene ketals) and the 21-monoesters and llu,2l-diesters thereof, and 5a,l7a,2l-trihydroxy 65 alkylallopregnane 3,11,20 trione 3,20- bis-(ethylene ketal) as well as those 65-alkylallopregname-3,20-dione 3,20-bis-(ketals) wherein the ketal group is other than ethylene can be hydrolyzed to give the corresponding 5a,17a,21 trihydroxy 65 alkylallopregnane3,20-diones oxygenated in the ll-position, such as for example, 5a,11fi,17ec,21 tetrahydroxy 65- propylallopregnane 3,20 dione, 5a,11 3,17a,21 tetrahydroxy 65 butylallopregnane 3,20 dione, 511,115,- 17a,'21 tetrahydroxy 65 isobutylallopregnane-3,20- dione, 5a,11}3,17a,21 tetrahydroxy 65 pentylallopregnane 3,20 dione, 5u,1l5,17a,2l tetrahydroxy-65- hexylallopregnane 3,20 dione, 5a,11[3,170c,21 tetrahydroxy-65phenyla1lopregnane-3 ,20-dione, 5c:,11oz,17oc,21- tetrahydroxy 65 methylallopregnane 3,20 dione, 5 or, 11a,I7a,2l-tetrahydrox-y 65 ethylallopregnane 3,20- dione, 501,11a,l7a,2l-tetrahydroxy 65 propylallopregnane 3,20 dione, 5a,11a,17oc,21 tetrahydroxy 65- isopropylallopregnane 3,20 dione, 5a,11a,l7a,21-tetrahydrox-y 65 butylallopregnane 3,20 dione, 50:,11oc, 1741,21 tetrahydroxy 65 pentylallopregnane 3,20- di0ne,'5a,'l1a,'17a,21 tetrahydroxy 65 hexylallopregnane 3,20 dione, 5a,l1a,l7a,21-tetrahydroxy 65-' concentrated to a volume of 180 milliliters.

phenylallopregnane 3,20 dione, 5a,17a,21-trihydroxy- 65-methylallopregnane 3,11,20 trione, 5a,17a,2l trihydroxy 65 ethylallopregnane 3,11,20 trione, 5oz, 17:1,21 --tril1ydroxy 65 propylallopregnane 3,11,20- trione, 5a,17oc,'21 trihydroxy 65 isopropylallopregmane-3,11,20-trione, 5a,17u,21-trihydroxy 65 butylallopregnane 3,11,20 trione, 5oz,170z,21- trihydroxy 65- pentylallopregnane 3,11,20 trione,, 50,17a'.,2l trihydroxy 65 hexylallopregnane 3,11 ,20 trione, 5a,l7a, 21 trihydroxy 65 phenylallopregnane-3,11,20-trione, and the like, and including those 65 alkylallopregnanes having ketal groups in positions 3 and 20 such as exem'plified in Preparation 3.

PREPARATION 8 60-mezhylhydr0cortisone A stream of nitrogen was bubbled through a solution of 429 milligrams of 5a,115,17a,21-tetrahydroxy- 65-methylallopregnane 3,20 dione contained in milliliters of denatured absolute alcohol "for a period of ten minutes. To this solution was added-4.3 milliliters of 0.1 normal sodium'hydroxide solution which had likewise been treated with nitrogen. The mixture was allowed to stand in a nitrogen atmosphere for a period of eighteen hours and thereupon acidified with acetic acid, and concentrated under reduced pressure at 55 degrees centigrade to dryness. The residue weighing 417 milligrams was recrystallized from acetone-Skellysolve B hexanes to give in two crops 249 milligrams of 6a-methylhydrocortisone melting between 184 and 194 degrees centigrade. was prepared melting at 203 to 208 degrees centigrade and consisting of 6a-methylhydrocortisone.

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H O C, 70.18; H, 8.57. Found: C, 70.32; H, 8.50.

The mother liquors contained besides 6u-methylhydrocortisone, substantial amounts of 65-methylhydrocortisone which can be isolated by recrystallization, papergrarn, countercurrent procedures and other means known in the art.

PREPARATION 9 65-methylhydrocortisone A solution was prepared containing 27.5 grams of 506,11B,].7OQ21-tfitfflh3/(1I'OXY 65 methylallopregnane- 3,20 dione in 6500 .milliliters of ethanol denatured with methanol. The solution was freed of air oxygen by bubbling oxygen-free nitrogen through it for a period of fifteen minutes. To this solution was added a similarly air oxygen-free prepared solution of one-tenth normal sodium hydroxide (235 milliliters). The solution was allowed to stand at room temperature (about 22 to 24 degrees centigrade) in an inert nitrogen atmosphere for a period of twenty hours and was then acidified with fourteen milliliters of acetic acid. The thus obtained acid solution was evaporated at about fifty to sixty degrees centigrade in vacuo, the thus produced residue dissolved in 200 milliliters of ethyl acetate and 200 milliliters of Water, the water layer separated from the organic layer and discarded, the organic layer washed with 350 milliliters of five percent aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, then three times with water and thereupon dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and After cooling the milliliters of solution in a refrigerator (about five degrees centigrade), the solution was filtered giving 11.9 grams of material. This material was redissolved in 500 milliliters of ethyl acetate, the ethyl acetate solution was concentrated to '150 milliliters, refrigerated as before to give 6.15 grams of crude 65- methylhydrocortisone of melting point 220-223.

Recrystallization of the crude 65-methylhydrocortisone three more times from ethyl acetate gave an analytical sample of 65-methylhydrocortisone with melting point An analytical sample 223 to 227 degrees centigrade, rotation [d] plus 105 degrees in acetone; ultraviolet absorption xgnfigfithflnfll y a =14,500.

Analysis.Calcd. for C l-1 C, 70.17; H, 8.57. Found: C, 70.54; H, 8.91.

PREPARATION 1O 6a-ethylhydr0c0rtisone max.

In the same manner dehydrating with an alkali metal hydroxide in alcoholic solution other 11-oxygenated-5u, 17a,2l trihydroxy 6B alkylallopregnane 3,20 diones produced the corresponding ll-oxygenated 6a alkyl- 17,2l dihydroxy 4 pregnene 3,20 diones such as 6oz propylhydrocortisone, 60c butylhydrocortisone, 60cisobutylhydrocortisone, 6a pentylhydrocortisone, 6ahexylhydrocortisone, 6a phenylhydrocortisone, 6a-methylcortisone of melting point 212.5 to 215 degrees centigrade, 6u-ethylcortisone, 6u-propylcortisone, 6a isoproplycortisone, 6a butylcortisone, 60c pentylcortisone, 6a hexylcortisone, 60c phenylcortisone, 11a,170c,21-trl hydroxy 60 methyl 4 pregnene 3,20 dione, 11cc, 1701.,21 trihydroxy 6a propyl 4 pregnene 3,20- dione, lla,l7a,2l trihydroxy -60t isopropyl 4 pregnene 3,20 dione, 11a,17 x,21-trihydroxy 6oz butyl-4- pregnene 3,20 dione, llm,l7a,2l-trihydroxy 6apentyl 4 pregnene 3,20 dione, 11a,l7a,21-t1'1hydroxy 6a thexyl 4 pregnene 3,20 dione, 11a,l7u, 21-trihydroxy 6 phenyl 4 pregnene 3,20 dione, and the like.

EXAMPLE 1 1-dehydro-6ot-methylhydrocortisone (6a-methyl 11/3J 7 a, 21 -trihydr0xy-1 ,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione) Six 100-milliliter portions of a medium in 250-milliliter Erlenmeyer flasks containing one percent glucose, two percent corn steep liquor (60 percent solids) and tap water was adjusted to a pH of 4.9. This medium was sterilized for 45 minutes at fifteen pounds per square inch pressure and inoculated with a one to two day growth of Septomyxa afiinis A.T.C.C. 6737. The Erlenmeyer flasks were shaken at room temperature at about 24 degrees centigrade for a period of three days. At the end of this period, this GOO-milliliter volume was used as an inoculum for ten liters of the same glucose-corn steep liquor medium which in addition contained ten milliliters of an antifoam (a mixture of lard oil and octadecanol). The fermentor was placed into the water bath, adjusted to 28 degrees centigrade, and the contents stirred (300 rpm.) and aerated (0.5 1. air/ 1. beer). After 17 hours of incubation, when a good growth developed and the acidity rose to pH 6.7, two grams of 6u-methylhydrocortisone plus one gram of 3-ketobisnor- 4-cholen-22-al, dissolved in 115 milliliters of dimethylformamide, was added and the incubation (conversion) carried out at the same temperature and aeration for 24 hours (final pH 7.9). The mycelium (56 grams dry weight) was filtered off and the steroidal material was extracted with methylene chloride, the methylene extracts evaporated to dryness, and the resulting residue chromatographed over a Florisil column. The column was packed with 200 grams of Florisil and was developed with five 400-milliliter fractions each of methylene chloride, Skellysolve B-acetone mixtures of 9: 1, 8:2, 7:3, 1:1, and methanol. The fraction eluted with Skellysolve B-ace'tone (7:3) weighed 1.545 and on recrystallization from acetone gave, in three crops, 928 milligrams of product of melting point 210235 degrees. The sample prepared for analysis melted at 245 to 247 degrees. Rotation [od plus 83 degrees was in dioxane.

Analysis.Calcd. for C H O C, 70.56; H, 8.08. Found: C, 70.53; H, 7.94.

Infrared absorption in Nujol mineral oil suspension:

OH cm. 3 430 a 330 a 180 20-k eto cm.' 1170s con ugated 3-keto crn.- 1, 645 A -d0uble bond om.- 1, 592

Instead of by fermentative dehydrogenation, l-dehydro- 6oz-methylhydrocortisone or an ester thereof can be obtained by dehydrogenation of 6a-methylhydrocortisone or an ester thereof with selenium dioxide as illustrated in Example 1A.

EXAMPLE 1A 1-dehydr0out-math lhydrocortisone acetate A mixture of seventy milligrams of 6a-methylhydrocortisone acetate in 4.5 milliliters of tertiary butyl alcohol and 0.45 milliliter of acetic acid and 24-milligrams of selenium dioxide was heated to degrees centigrade and stirred for 24 hours. Thereafter another 24-milligram portion of selenium dioxide was added and heated to 75 degrees centigrade and stirring continued. Thereafter the mixture was cooled, filtered to remove the selenium dioxide and evaporated. Paper chromatography showed the residue to contain about fifty to 55 percent of 1-dehydro-6o-methylhydrocortisone acetate which can be recovered from the residue by recrystallization and chromatography.

Infrared absorption in Nujol mineral oil suspension:

OH em.- 3 4 0 11- and 20-keto .-cm. 1; 732 i, 338

con ugated 3 keto--. crn.- 1, 655

A -d0uble bond "nun- 1, 611 1, 597

EXAMPLE 2 1 -dehydro-6fl-methylcortisone In the same manner given in Example 1, 6a-methylcortisone was submitted to fermentation by Septomyxa afiinz's in the same nutrient medium with crude 115,21- dihydroxy-l,4,l7(20)-pregnatrien-3-one as promoter to give 1-dehydro-6a-methylcortisone of melting point 230 to 232 degrees centigrade.

Instead of the 3-ketobisnor-4-cholen-22-al as promoter progesterone, 1lB,21-dihydroxy-1,4,17(20) pregnatrien- 3-one or 3-ketobisnor-4-cholenic acid may be used.

EXAMPLE 4 1-dehydr0-6/3-methylhydrocorlisone In the same manner given in Example 1, fermenting with Septomyxa afiinis in a nutrient medium with crude l1,8,21-d1hydroxy-4,17(20)-pregnadien-3-one as promoter 6 8-rnethylhydrocortisone yielded l-dehydro 6B methylcortisone.

EXAMPLE 1 -dehydr0-6/3-methylcortisone In -the same manner given in Example 1, GB-methylcortisone was submitted to fermentation by Septomyxa afiinis in the same nutrient medium with crude 115,21- dihydroxy-4,17()-pregnadien-3-one as promoters to give 1-dehydro-6,B-methylcortisone.

Instead of the 11fi,21-dihydroxy-4,17(20)-pregnadien- 3-one as promoter progesterone, 3-ketobisnor-4-cholen- 22-al or 3-ketobisnor-4-cholenic acid may be used.

EXAMPLE 6 (h) 6-valerylcortisone yielded l-dehydro-G-valerylcortisone.

(i) 6-phenylcortisone yielded l-dehydro-S-phenylcortisone.

(j) 6 ethyl-1 1oz, l7u,2 1-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione yielded 6-ethyl-l l u,17a,2 l-trihydroxy-l ,4-pregnadiene3,20-dione.

(k) 6 butyl-l 1oz,17 a,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione yielded 6-b-utyl-l1m,l7u,21-trihydroXy-l,4-pregna diene-3,20-dione. 7

(l) 6 phenyl lla,17u,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20- dione yielded 6-phenyl-lla,l7a,21-trihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

In the same manner as shown in Examples 1 to 6, other 1-dehydro-6-alkyl and I-dehydro-6-arylhydrocortisone, cortisone, epi F compounds (60: or 6B-epimers) are produced by subjecting the corresponding 6-alkylated or 6-arylated cortisone, hydrocortisone, and epi F compounds or the esters thereof to fermentation especially by Corynebacterium simplex or Septomyxa afiinis in the absence or presence of steroidal promoters such as 3- ketobisnor-4-cholen-22-al, crude llfi,21-dihydroxy-1,4,17 (20)-pregnatrien-3-one, 3-ketobisnor-4-cholenic acid and progesterone. Representative l-dehydro-6u-alkyl and 1- dehydro 6a aryl 1l-oxygenated-17a,21-dihydroxy-1,4- pregnadiene3,20-diones thus produced include: l-dehydro-6ot-valerylhydrocortisone, l-dehydro-6a-hexylhydrocortisone, l-dehydroa6ot-isopropylcortisone, 6cz-isobutylhydrocortisone, 1-dehydro-6a-butylcortisone, 1 dehydro 6a-hexylcortisone, l-dehydro-6a-isopropylhydrocortisone, l-dehydro-6a-isopropylcortisone, l-dehydro-6u-isobutylcortisone, 6ct-isopropyl-l l a,170.,21 -trihydroxy 1,4 -.pregnadiene 3,20-dione, 6a-isobutyl-lla, l7a,2l-trihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione, 6a-pentyl- 11'q,17ot,21 trihydroxy 1,4- pregnadiene-3,20-dione; 6ahexyl l1a,17a,2l-trihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione, and the like.

EXAMPLE 7 1-dehydro-6a-methyZhydrocortisone acetate A mixture was prepared containing 500 milligrams of 1-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone in five milliliters of pyridine and five milliliters of acetic anhydride. The mixture was maintained at room temperature (22 to 24 l-dehydro:

12 degrees centigrade) for a period of six hours, thereupon poured into milliliters of icewater and the resulting aqueous mixture extracted with three 25-milliliter portions of methylene chloride. The combined methylene chloride solutions were washed, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated and the thus obtained residue recrystallized three times from acetone-Skellysolve B hexanes to give pure l-dehydro-6a-rnethylhydrocortisone 2l-acetate (6 methyl 11B,17a-dihydroxy-21-acetoxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione) EXAMPLE 8 1-dehydr0-6a-methy[cortisone benzoate A mixture of 500 milligrams of 1-dehydro-6-methylcortisone, five milliliters of pyridine and five milliliters of benzoyl chloride was maintained at room temperature for a period of eight hours. Thereafter the mixture was poured into excess of water, the Water extracts neutralized with sodium bicarbonate and thereupon the mixture refrigerated. The mixture was then filtered and the thus obtained 1-dehydro-6-methylcortisone benzoate recrystallized from methanol to give pure l-dehydro-fia-methylcortisone benzoate (6zx-methyl-l7a-hydroxy-2l-henzoyloxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3 l 1,20-trione) EXAMPLE 9 6 oc-m ethyl-1 '1 ,1 7u-dihydroxy-21-trimethylacet0xy-1,4- pregnadiene-3,20-dione A mixture of 500 milligrams of 6u-methyl-l1a,l7a,21- trihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione, five milliliters of pyridine and 0.5 milliliter of trimethylacetyl chloride was allowed to stand at room temperature for four hours. Thereafter the mixture was poured into excess of water and extracted with methylene chloride. The methylene extracts were washed with water, dried and evaporated and the thus obtained residue recrystallized from acetone Skellysolve B hexanes to give 6ot-methyl-lla,l7a-dihydroxy-21-trimethyl-acetoxy-l ,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

EXAMPLE 10 6a-methyl-17a-hydr0xy-11 a,21-diacet0xy-1,4-pregnadiene- 3,20-dione 'In the same manner as shown in Example 7, 6oc-methyl- 1la,l7u,21 trihydroxy 1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione was acetylated with acetic anhydride in pyridine solution to give the diester, 60c methyl 17a-hydroxy-1 lull-diacetoxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

EXAMPLE 1 l 1-dehydro-6-methy[cortisone To 225 milligrams (0.6 millimole) of l-dehydro-Ga- 6-methyl-l 118, l7a,21-trihydroxy- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione) in nine milliliters of methanol was added 0.2 milliliter of pyridine, 0.4 milliliter of Water and 166 milligrams of 'N-bromoacetamide (1.2 moles). The reaction mixture was held at room temperature overnight when titration of an aliquot indicated that approximately 1.43 mole equivalents of oxidant had been.

used. At this time 25 milliliters of a dilute solution of sodium sulfite was added to destroy excess N-bromoacetamide and the mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure until copious crystallization occurred. The mixture was cooled 'at zero degrees centigrade for thirty minutes and filtered to yield milligrams of l-dehydro- 6m-methylcortisone of melting point 230-232 degrees centigrade.

EXAMPLE 12 1-dehydr0-6ot-methylcortisone 21 -trimethylacetate A mixture containing 6u-methyll1a,17rxdihydroxy- 21 trimethylacetoxy- 1,4 -pregnadiene-3,20-dione (200 milligrams), in two milliliters of acetic acid, twodrops of water and fifty milligrams of chromic trioxide was allowed to stand at room temperature (about 24 degrees) for a period of three hours. Thereafter one milliliter of ethanol was added, the mixture shaken up and thereupon llllllltll lilo llll llllllllliili ii is Willi lli aqueous EXAMPLE 13 1-dehydr0-6a-methylhydrocortisone 21 -hemisuccinate To a stirred solution of 2.5 grams of succinic anhydride in 25 milliliters of pyridine was added 2.0 grams of l-dehydro-G-methylhydrocortisone. Stirring was continued until the 1-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone was completely dissolved. After standing overnight the reaction mixture was slowly poured into a vigorously stirred mixture of thirty milliliters of concentrated hydrochloric acid, 102 milliliters of water and 127 grams of ice. Stirring was continued for one hour and the crude crystalline, 1 dehydro 6a methylhydrocortisone 21 hemisuccinate, was separated by filtration. The product was washed on the filter with water until the filtrate had a pH of 4.0, dried and recrystallized from 45 milliliters of methyl ethyl ketone and 36 milliliters of Skellysolve B hexanes to give pure 1-dehydro-6ot-methylhydrocortisone 2l-hemisuccinate.

EXAMPLE 14 1-dehydro-6oc-methylhydrocortisone 21 -hemisuccinate sodium salt Sodium hydroxide solution (0.1 normal) was slowly added to a stirred solution of two grams of 1-dehydro-6amethylhydrocortisone 21-hemisuccinate in fifty milliliters of acetone until the pH rose to 7.4. During the addition of NaOH solution, 100 milliliters of water was also added.

The solution was concentrated at 25 degrees centigrade under vacuum to remove the acetone. The resulting aqueous solution of 1-dehydro-6oc-methylhydrocortisone 21- hemisuccinate sodium salt was filtered and freeze-dried and recrystallized to give pure 1-dehydIo-6a-methylhydrocortisone 21-hemisuccinate sodium salt.

EXAMPLE 15 1 dehydro-6a-methylhydr0c0rtis0ne 21 -(/3,,B- dimethy lglutarate) To a solution of 260 milligrams of mp-dimethylglutaric anhydride in two milliliters of pyridine was added 200 milligrams of 1-dehydro-6u-methylhydrocortisone. The mixture was stirred until the 1-del1ydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone was completely dissolved and the flask was flushed with nitrogen. The mixture was allowed to stand overnight for eighteen hours and was then slowly poured into a stirred cold solution of 2.4 milliliters of concentrated hydrochloric acid and eighteen milliliters of water. The mixture was extracted with three five-milliliters portions of ethyl acetate, the ethyl acetate layer washed with dilute hydrochloric acid and water, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated to 1.5 milliliters under reduced pressure. Thereto was added one milliliter of Skellysolve B hexanes and the mixture allowed to cool to zero degrees Centigrade. After 24 hours the mixture was filtered to yield crystals of 1-dehydro-6-methylhydrocortisone 21-(B,5-dimethylglutarate). The infrared spectrum of l-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone 2l-( 3,fi-dimethylglutarate), measured in Nujol mineral oil, corresponded to the postulated structure of the compound.

A metal salt of l-dehydro-6a-rnethylhydrocortisone 21- (B,/3-dimethylglutarate) may be prepared as illustrated below:

EXAMPLE 16 1 -dehydr0-6ot-methy lhydrocortisone 21 {5,6- dimethylglutarate) sodium salt A sodium hydroxide solution (0.1 normal) was slowly added to a stirred solution of two grams of l-dehydro- 6a-methylhydrocortisone 21-( 3,fi-dimethylglutarate) in milliliters of acetone until the pH rose to 7.4. During the addition of the sodium hydroxide solution, 100 milliliters of water was also added.

The solution was concentrated at 25 degrees Centigrade under vacuum to remove the acetone. The resulting aqueous solution was filtered and freeze dried to give 1-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone 21-(,8,;3-dimethylglutarate) sodium salt.

EXAMPLE 17 In the same manner as given in Example 7, treating in pyridine solution:

(a) 1 dehydro 60c methylhydrocortisone with propionic anhydride yielded 1-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone 21-propionate.

(b) 1-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone with butyric anhydride yielded 1-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone 21- butyrate.

(c) l-dehydro-6u-methydhydrocortisone with valeric anhydride yielded 1-dehydro-6u-rnethylhydrocortisone 21- valerate,

(d) 1-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone with hexanoyl bromide yielded l-del1ydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone 21- hexanoate.

(e) 1-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone with heptanoyl bromide yielded 1-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone 21- heptanoate.

(f) l-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone with octanoyl chloride yielded 1-dehydro-6oc-methylhydrocortisone 21- octanoate.

(g) 1-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone with benzoyl chloride yielded l-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone 21- benzoate.

(h) 1-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone with phenylacetyl chloride yielded 1-dehydro6u-methylhydrocortisone 2 l -phenylacetate.

(i) 1-dehydro-6u-methylhydrocortisone with fl-cyclopentylpropionyl bromide yielded 1-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone 21-(fi-cyclopentylpropionate) (j) 1-dehydro-6a-ethylhydrocortisone with acetic anhydride yielded 1-dehydro-6a-ethylhydrocortisone acetate.

(k) l-dehydro-6a-propylhydrocortisone with acetic anhydride yielded 1-dehydro-6ot-propylhydrocortisone acetate.

(l) 1-dehydro-6u-isopropylhydrocortisone with acetic anhydride yielded 1-dehydro-6a-isopropylhydrocortisone acetate.

(m) l-dehydro-6 x-butylhydrocortisone with acetic an hydride yielded 1dehydro-6a-butylhydrocortisone acetate.

(n) 1-dehydro-6ct-phenylhydrocortisone with acetic anhydride yielded 1-dehydro-6a-phenylhydrocortisone acetate.

(0) 1-dehydro-6ot-methylcortisone with acetic anhy dride yielded 1-dehydro-liwmethylcortisone ZI-acetate.

(p) 1-dehydro-6a-methylcortisone with propionic anhydride yielded 1-dehydro-6a-methylcortisone 21-propionate.

(q) 1-del1ydro-6a-methylcortisone with succinic anhydride yielded 1-dehydr0-6a-methylcortisone 2l-succinate.

(r) 1-dehydro-6c-methylcortisone with Z-furoyl chloride yielded 1-dehydro-6a-rnethylcortisone 2l-(2-furoate).

(s) l-dehydro-6lx-methylcortisone with fi B-dimethyl glutaric anhydride yielded 1-dehydro-6-methylcortisone 21-(,8,B-dimethylglutarate) (t) 1-dehydro-6a-phenylcortisone with acetic anhydrid yielded 1-dehydro-6a-phenylcortisone 21-acetate.

(u) 1-dehydro-6ct-ethylcortisone with butyric anhydride yielded 1-dehydro-6a-ethylcortisone 21-butyrate.

(v) 1-dehydro-6a-propylcortisone with hexanoyl chloride yielded 1-dehydro-6a-propylcortisone 21-hexanoate.

(w) l-dehydro-6a-isopropylcortisone with benzoyl chloride yielded 1-dehydro-6 x-isopropylcortisone ZI-benzoate.

..(x) 1-dehydro-6a-butylcortisone with toluenesulfonyl chloride yielded l-dehydro-6otbutylcortisone 21-toluenesulfonate.

(y) 1-dehydro-6a-pentylcortisone with para-chlorobenzenesulfonyl chloride yielded 1-dehydro-6oc-pentylcortisone 2l para-chlorobenzenesulfonate.

(z) 1-dehydro-6a-hexylcortisone with cinnamyl-chloride yielded 1-dehydro-6a-hexylcortisone ZI-cinnamate.

EXAMPLE 18 In the same manner as shown in Example 7, reacting in pyridine solution:

(a) 6u-methyl-11a,17a,21-trihydroxy-1,4 pregnadiene- 3, 20-dione with triethylacetyl chloride in approximately equimolecular proportions yielded essentially the 60:- methyl11u,-17a-dihydroxy 21 triethylacetoxy 1,4-pregnadiene-3,'20-dione.

(l1) 6a-methyl-11u,17a,21-trihydroxy-l,4 pregnadiene- 3,20-dione with dineopentylacetyl chloride in approximately equimolecular proportions yielded essentially the 6a-methyl-11a,17a-dihydroxy-21 dineopentylacetoxy-1,4- pregnadie'ne-3,20-dione.

(c) 6u-ethyl-11oz,17a,21 trihydroxy 1,4 pregnadiene-3, ZO-dione with trimethylacetyl chloride in approximately equimolecular proportions yielded essentially the 60:- methyl l1u,17a-dihydroxy-21 trimethylacetoxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

(11) 6u-phenyl-l1a,17a,21-trihydroxy 1,4-pregnadiene- 3,20-dione with trimethylacetyl chloride in approximately equimolecular proportions yielded essentially the 6mphenyl-l1oc,17ot-dihydroxy-21 trimethylacetoxy-l,4-pregnadiene 3,20-dione.

The l-dehydro-6a-alkyl-1l-epi-hydrocortisone 2l-esters can be' oxidizedwith chromic acid as shown in Example 12, to give the corresponding 1-dehydro-6a-alkylcortisone 21-esters. Hydrolysis of l-dehydro-6a-alkylcortisone 21- ester, dissolved in alcohol, with a base such as sodium or potassium hydroxide or carbonate, preferably in anitrogen atmosphere gives the free l-dehydro-6a-alkylcortisone.

EXAMPLE 19 1-dehydro-6u-methylhydr0c0rtis0ne from 1-dehydr0 6B=methylhydroc0rtisone 'A' solution-was prepared containing one gram of crude 1 dehydro-6;9-methylhydrocortisone (impurity l-dehydro- 6a-methylhydrocortisone) in 35 milliliters of methanol. To this solution at room temperature was added five milliliters of Z-normal aqueous sulfuric acid solution. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand overnight (eighteen hours) at room temperature, thereupon neutralized with 25 milliliters of aqueous five percent sodium bicarbonate solution and then concentrated on the water bath'at aboutfiftyto 55 degrees centigrade to a volume of about twenty milliliters. The mixture was then filtered, andthe thus recovered precipitate washed with thirty milliliters of water, and dried in a vacuum oven at 65 degrees centigrade to give a solid. The aqueous solution was extracted with three twenty-milliliter portions of ethyl acetate, the extracts were combined, washed with three twenty-milliliter portions of water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and evaporated under reduced pressure at 55 degrees centigrade to give a residue. This residue was combined with the solid, previously obtained, and recrystallized from ethyl acetate to give 1-dehydro-6otmethylhydrocortisone of about ninety percent purity.

Instead of a mineral acid such as sulfuric, hydrochloric, chloric,-dilute nitric, perchloric acid or the like, a base, preferably an alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium or potassium hydroxide or carbonate,or other acidic or basic enolyzi'ng agents capable to temporarily enolyze the 3-keto group to a '3-enol group can be usedto epirnerize the 1- dehy'dro-6'l3 methylhydrocortisone to the more stable 1- dehydro 6a-methylhydrocortisone. "The conversion with a base can be carried out as follows:

10 One gram of 1-dehydro-6,8-methylhydrocortisone, dissolved inforty milliliters of methanol, was treated at room temperature with 0.5 gram of sodium hydroxide, dissolved in three milliliters of water. The mixture was allowed to stand'for 'sixteen'ho'urs overnight, was then diluted with 175 milliliters of water, neutralized with five percent aqueous hydrochloric acid, and extracted with three fiftymilliliter portions of methylene chloride. The methylene chloride extracts were repeatedly washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, evaporated and the thus obtained residue recrystallized from acetone-to give 1-dehydro-6a-methylhydrocortisone.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details of operation or exact compounds shown and described, as obvious modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and the invention is therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A compound of the formula:

(iJHaOR C=O \OpogghUx-huago References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Sarett Feb. 28, 1956 Fried July 24, 1956 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Qertificate of Correction Patent No. 2,897,218 July 28, 1959 Oldrich K. Sebek et a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 3, lines 59 and 60, for -6a-methylcortisone read -6d-Iriethy1hydr0cort1s0I 1e; column 10, lines 7 4: and 75, for -6Bmethylcortisone read -6,B-methy1hydrocort1sone.

Signed and sealed this 8th day of March 1960.

Attest A f KARL H. AXLINE, ROBERT C. WATSON, Attestz'ng Ofiaer. Commissioner of Patents. 

